Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on the Joint Statement Issued by the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue Between the US, Japan and Australia Which Encompasses Issues Relating to the East and South China Seas

2013/10/07

Q: It is reported that Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Japan and the US Secretary of State held the fifth ministerial meeting of the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue on the margins of the APEC ministerial meeting in Bali and issued a joint statement which encompasses issues relating to the East and South China Seas. What is China's comment?

A: China's principled position on relevant issues is longstanding and clear-cut. The alliance between the US, Japan and Australia should not be used as an excuse to interfere in disputes over territorial sovereignty, otherwise, it will only complicate the situation and hurt the interests of relevant parties. We urge these countries to respect facts, tell right from wrong, be discreet and refrain from any word or deed that is not conducive to the proper handling of relevant issues and to regional stability.